PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Lt. Col. Alexander D. Burgos relinquished command of U.S. Army Garrison Picatinny Arsenal to Lt. Col. Craig A. Bonham II during a ceremony in the Lindner Conference Center on June 12.
As the incoming garrison commander, Bonham assumed responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the northern New Jersey military installation. He will sustain the command, control and operations of the Arsenal, its installation-level support missions, and readiness for all tenant units. He will also help ensure the health, morale and welfare of the residents of Picatinny Arsenal.
Davis Tindoll Jr., director of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) – Sustainment Directorate, hosted the ceremony, which was attended -- both in-person, and virtually -- by friends and family members of both the incoming and outgoing commanders.
“The Army does not train its officers to be garrison commanders, but it does develop leaders,” Tindoll said before highlighting the accomplishments of both the incoming and outgoing commanders.
Garrison commanders must build and leverage relationships with the IMCOM staff and IMCOM directorate staffs, which allows them to generate a common and comprehensive understanding of what support and resources their garrisons need.
As part of the change of command ceremony, the Picatinny Arsenal garrison guidon passed through the hands of Command Sgt. Maj. David M. Franks, to the outgoing garrison commander, into the hands of Tindoll, and eventually into the hands of the new garrison commander. This act served as Burgos’ final, and Bonham’s first official act with both Franks and Tindoll.
“I am both honored and excited to join your team,” Bonham told the Picatinny workforce. “Each of you plays a crucial role in our mission, and I am committed to ensuring that you have the support, resources, and leadership needed to succeed. Together we will continue to uphold the values of duty, honor, and country that define our service.”
Picatinny Arsenal is one of the top three employers in Morris County, New Jersey, according to the Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation, and supports the Army priorities of People, Readiness and Modernization. The installation’s capabilities are unique and vital to the nation, as the workforce leads the advancement of armament technologies and engineering innovation for the U.S. military.
“Our mission is paramount and our duty to this nation is unwavering,” Bonham said. “Have no doubt that we will continue to provide the services and support that this community requires today to ensure that Picatinny is postured to support our nation in the future.”
The Picatinny Arsenal garrison supports mission partners that use unique laboratories, special facilities, and various performance measures to evaluate prototype designs, thus reducing development cycle time. Picatinny’s scope of work includes improvised explosive device (IED) defeat technologies, drones, small, medium, and large caliber conventional ammunition, precision-guided munitions, mortars, fire control systems, small-arms weapon systems, howitzers, gunner protection armor, warheads, fuzes, and insensitive munitions.
Bonham comes from U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany, where he served as chief of staff. After approaching the podium during the change of command, Bonham thanked friends, family, and fellow service members who helped him succeed throughout his military career.
He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in 2006. Bonham also holds a Master of Arts in Leadership and Management from Webster University.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger Tab, Combat Action Badge, as well as the German and Uruguayan Parachutist Wings. He also served in units that earned the Valorous Unit Award and Meritorious Unit Commendation.
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